A rare and historically significant emerald necklace dating back 275 years to the Mughal Empire has stunned collectors by selling for $6.2 million at Christie’s New York—more than double its highest pre-sale estimate.
Comprising five exceptional Colombian emeralds with a total weight of 1,178.50 carats (approximately 8.3 ounces), the opulent piece is strung on gold with vibrant magenta cords. Among the emeralds, three are hexagonally carved, and two are in a pear-shaped design. The most notable gem is a monumental 470-carat emerald engraved with the inscription “Ahmad Shah Durr-i Durran,” meaning “Pearl of Pearls.”
This remarkable necklace carries a legacy as rich as its design. It was once owned by Nader Shah, the formidable 18th-century Iranian ruler renowned for his military conquests and for briefly possessing the famed Koh-i-Noor diamond. The necklace was part of the Mughal imperial treasury looted by Nader Shah during his 1739 invasion of Delhi, a turning point that reshaped the political landscape of the Indian subcontinent.
Initially estimated to fetch between $2 million and $3 million, the final hammer price reflected the piece’s exceptional craftsmanship, provenance, and historical significance—cementing its status as one of the standout lots of the season.
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